Sole press



I April 3, 1934. e. HAZELTON 1 1,953,224

SOLE PRESS Original F iled Feb. 14, 1930 6 Fig.1.

Patented Apr. 3, 1934 PATENT "'oFFlcE SOLE mess George Hazelton, Leicester, England, assignor t'o United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson,

N. J., a corporation of New Jersey.

Application February 14, 1930, Serial No. 428,528.

Renewed May February 28, 1929 a ":1 Claims.

This invention relates to sole pressing machines and particularly, though not exclusively, to machines for conforming outsoles to shoe bottoms.

Sole laying machines are used at the present time in the boot and shoe industry for pressing a sole against the bottom of a boot or shoe (to which it is usually subsequently to be permanently secured) in'order' to causethe sole to conform closely to the curves of the boot or shoe bottom. In using a sole-laying machine in making welted shoes and usually too'when makingMcKay sewedshoes, an adhesive is present and the pressing not only shapes the sole but sticks it in place. Sometimes, however, in mak-L ing McKay sewed shoesthesole has been tackedin position beforehand on the shoe bottom in one of the machine but can work .to his full capacity,

and to provide a machinein which the work is presented to the operator in position for conven ient inspection of the work which is being placed in the machine and in which the work may be clamped in the machine under preliminary pressure with a minimum of manipulation of parts.

To these ends the illustrated machine comprises a number of pressing units arranged on a carrier or turret movableto present the units successively in work receiving and work discharging position, and pressure applying means operating while each unit is in said position and independent of movement of the carrier for applying pressure to that unit and relieving pressure simultaneously from another unit, preferably from the unit which is next to-be brought into work discharging and work receiving -position by movement of the carrier. In the illustrated'machine each pressing unit comprises a shoe holding deviceand a sole engaging pad adapted to be dilated by fluid pressure to apply pressure to the shoe bottom while the pad is in shoereceiving position. As illustrated, the shoe engaging pads are arranged on the periphery of a turret or table arranged for rotation in a horizontal plane and are inclined downwardly and outwardly of the turret tofacilitate the inspec- 15, 1933. In Great Britain tion of a shoe and sole placed thereon while the" sole and shoe are being located relatively to each other and while pressure is being applied to the sole. In the illustrated machine the ,pads' are distorted to apply pressure to the shoe by air pressure which is supplied to each pad inturn through a valve located centrally of the. turret which valve is caused to be tumed' at the will of the. operator, in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the turret by previously stored power, for example, by a tension spring, to admit air to that one of the pads which is in work receiving position. Preferably and as illustrated, the valve simultaneously relieves pressure from the 'pad next to the pad that is being filled. In the illustrated'"machine, power-'operated means, preferably pneumatic, is providedforrotating the turret and for storing energy'to operate the valve reversely. During rotation of the turret the supply of air to the pad just filled and the exhaustion of air from the padne'xt to be filled are maintained.

' For clampinga shoe on a pad, the illustrated machine is provided with novel shoe holding and Y I pad supporting means. A three-point bearing for each pad support is provided, two of the points being spaced laterally of the pad beneath its longitudinal central portion and the bearing at the third point being yielding and located near the.

toe end of the pad support to permit longitudinal tipping of the pad support. As illustrated,

the central bearings are relatively adjustable to enable the pad support to be tipped laterally.

The shoe holding means, as illustrated, comprises an arm pivoted near the toe end of the pad and provided with a spring forraising it from the shoe, said arin being provided with a toe rest having a rubber roll having an axis extending across the forepart of the shoe substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal median line of the forepart and a short last pin for engaging the pin hole of the last. ,Eor clamping the arm against the shoe the illustrated machine provides for each pad a bail pivoted to the pad support substantially at its longitudinal center and extending over the arm of the shoe holdingdevice, the upper surface of the arm being so shaped that by movementof the bail toward the heel end of the shoe the arm will press the shoe upon the pad withpreliminary pressure.

In' order to press the shank portion of the sole tightly against the shoe, particularly in the case of high-arched shoes, each of the sole pads may,

,use is not desired.

' The ,various objects and the severalfeatures of the present invention will become more evident from ,the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawing, of an illustrative machine in which the several features of the present invention are embodied in convenient forms.

In the drawing, 1 I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

showing suflicient of the head of the illustrative machine to enable the invention to be clearly understood; I v ,Fig. 2 shows a side view of a valve hereinafter described detached from the machine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of the valve showing also avalve casing surrounding the valve;

' .ed to support a horizontal turret 12 at its upper end. For this purpose there is spaced. above the vface 20 formed on its upper surface on which the I turret 12 rests and rotates. The turret 12 has a hollow substantially cylindrical neck 22 arranged centrally thereof which projects vertically upward from the turret. A vertical shaft-like member 24 (hereinafter termed the valve) is housedin bearings 26 in the hollow cylindrical neck 22 and passes at its lower end through a bearing in the cross-bar 14 and into a vertical bore 28 in the upper'end of the column 10. By this means the turret 12 is maintained central relatively to the column 10.

The turret 12 of the illustrative machine is provided with six shoe-holding devices indicated generally at 30 and six hollow pads 32, which latter are adapted to be dilated by fluid pressure to press soles against the bottoms of shoes held in the shoe-holding devices. The shoe-holding devices 30 are arranged one above each of the pads 32 on the turret 12. The pads 32 are arranged longer andwider than a shoe and has two holes 36 drilled partly into it'frofn its under side, one

on each side of the,bedand about half way along the length of the bed. Supporting stems 38 project upwardly an adjustable amount through the outer ends of bosses 40 on the periphery of the tln'ret 12 and engage in the holes '36 aforesaidin the bed 34, the holes being of greater diameter than the stems 3a toaallow the bed to tilt somewhat on' the ends of the stems ina plane radial to the turret. The-said stems are threaded into' said bosses and are independently adjustable? heightwise by rotation thereof so that the bed may be adjusted laterally of the plane of the turret. Near its inner end each bed 34 is provided on its under side and midway of its width with a lug 42 to which is pivoted the upper bifurcated end 44 of a depending rod 46. This rod 46 passes through a bearing 48 in the turret 12 and has a nut 50 on its lower end. Springs 52, 54 are providedwhich encircle the rod 46 above and below theturret 12, one of the springs 52 resting at its lower end upon the turret 12 and at its upper end upon the bifurcated end 44 at the top-of the rod 46, while the other 54 rests at its lower end upon the nut 50 at the lower end of the rod 46 and at its upper end against the turret 12. Thus it will be seen that each pad supporting bed 34 is mounted upon a three-point bearing, two of the bearing points being located midway of the length of the bed and'the third beingyieldingly mounted near 5 rockton its supporting stems in a vertical plane against the action of the springs 52, 54 surrounding the depending rod 46 near the inner end of the bed 34. The arrangement is suchthat when the beds are in normal position upon the machine they are inclined upwardly toward their inner ends at an angle'of about twenty degrees to the horizontal for the outer-half of their length while the inner half (which is bent upwardly and in,-'

wardly of the machine) has an upward inclination of some thirty-five degrees to the horizontal.

- Eachpad 32', which preferably is pneumatic; is of a length and width similar to that of the bed 34 and comprises a rubber bag enclosed in a casing -of leather. The upper side of the leather casing preferably comprises two layers of leather superimposed one on the other in order to protect the rubber bag against puncturing. An air inlet pipe 56 (of which themachine is provided with six,

one for each pad but of which only one is shown in the drawing) is screwed to a union 58 which is in turn secured to the rubber bag 32. In order to avoid confusion of the drawing the air inlet pipe to the. left-hand pad in Fig. 1 is not shown but the supporting members for the right-hand pad are omitted to show the air inlet pipe to that pad.

The union 58 passes downwardly through a hole arranged centrally of the bed 34 and clamped thereto by nuts 60 on the upper and lower sides of the bed. I

In order to hold a shoe 62 in fixed relation to a it to press against a sole 64 to lay it against the shoe, the illustrated machine is provided with theshoe holding devices 30 aforesaid which are positioned one above each pad and which can be lowered toward the pads independently of each other. For this purpose the substantially cylindrical neck22 on the turret 12 is provided near its upper end with six pairs of ears 66, one pair being situated above each of the pneumatic pads. A shoe supporting arm 68 is mounted in each pair of vertical cars 66 and is held thereinby means of a horizontal pivot pin 70 passing through the ears 66. Each arm 68 may be swung downwardly about its pivot in a plane radial to the turret 12 from a raised position into a. substantially horizontal position and when in such position it overlies the median line of the pneumatic pad '32 beneath it and the arm is of such a length that its outer free 'end lies practically vertically above the outer end of the pad carrying bed 34. A coil spring 72 provided around the pivot 70 of each arm 68 tends to raise the arm from the said horizontal position in order to allow of easy access .to the pneumatic pad 32. -Near the lower side of the outer end of each arm 68 there is a slot. 74 about an inch and el -half long tuning in such a .6 pin 82 passing through the U the last pin carrier 78 and the slot 74 in the outer direction that when the arm is in its substantially horizontal position the slot 74 is approximately parallel to the outer end of its respective carrying bed 34. The lower edge 76 of the arm 68 lying beneath the slot '74 is parallel therewith. A last-pin carrier 78 is mounted on the arm 68 near the outer end thereof and is freely movable alongit to an extent-limited by the length of the slot in order to allow a last pin 80 to engage inv lasts of different sizes. Thelast pin carrier 78 is U-shaped at its upper end and embraces more or less closely the opposite sides of the arm 68 and lies close to and is guided in its movement of adjustment by the lower edge of the arm. A cross- -shaped portion of end of the arm .68 serves to retain the last pin carrier in the position described while leaving it free when not in engagement with a last totravel to and fro along the. arm 68 to the extent prescribed by the slot 74. The last pin 80 comprises a short conical peg which projects downwardly and when the arm 68 overlies the pad is perpendicular to the downwardly inclined rear part of C" the pad supporting bed 34. The last pin 80 is held in the last pin carrier 78' and isadapted to enter loosely part way into the last pin hole in the heel end of a last, the under side of the carrier 78 being adapted to bear on the crown of the last. About half way between its inner and outer ends each arm 68 is provided with a second slot 84 lying above the inner part of its respective pad 32 and parallel to the slot 74. That part 86 of theunder side of each arm lying beneath the slot 84 is formed parallel therewith. A U-shaped block 88 is mounted to embrace the arm 68 on opposite sides of the slot 84 in a'manner similar to the mounting for the last pin carrier '78 and it may be clamped in adjusted position along the arm 68 by a thumb-screw 90. The U-shaped block 88 carries a substantially cylindrical rubber pressure roll 92 which is adapted to rest upon and press just behind the toe against the upper side of a last which is positioned be- "i neath the arm 68 by engagement of the conical last pin 80 in the lastpin hole at the heel end 1 of the last. The U-shaped block 88 has an car 94 depending downwardly therefrom at each side of the roll 92 and these ears are twisted slightly out of parallelism with the arm 68, as shown in Fig. 1.

A spindle 96 passing through the cars 94 provides a horizontal axis for the pressure roll 92, and owing to the twisted arrangement of the ears 94 on their carrying block 88 the axis of the pressure in the outer end of the bosses before mentioned as having the said stems 38 secured therein and the axis of said pivots 98 passes perpendicularly through the axis of the pair of stems 38.. When the arm 68 is to be allowed to assume the raised position to which it is urged by thecoil spring 72, the upper end of the stirrup 100 is moved .to a position in which it lies more or less over the pivot 70 for the arm 68 and is supported in this position by a lug 102 projecting upwardly from the edge of the arm 68. The upper edge of the arm 68 is cam shaped (i. e., is eccentric to the pivots. for the stirrup 100) so that when the stirrup is swung outwardly its cross portion bears with increasing pressure upon the upper edge of thearm and forces the arm downwardly into its horizontal position, the stirrup remaining lockedby the pressure between it and the arm wherever it is placed along the arm and thus holding the shoe upon thepad underpreliminary pressure. The arm 68 may, however, be

swung downwardly with one hand to quicken the operation and the stirrup 100 may be swung into its forward position over the arm with the other hand when the arm has been caused to occupy its horizontal position. This arrangement is found to allow of a very quick and simple work fjacking or unjacking operation. The disposition aforementioned of the stirrup pivots 98 in relation to the stems 38 is such that the pressure of the sole laying which is taken by the stirrup is transmitted more or less directly by the pivots 98 to the said stems 38 and thus to the bed 34 or at all events practically only the outer end of the said boss 40 participates in the application of pressure, the bosses which constitute the only positive connection of the bed 34 with the machine column 10 serving little purpose beyond that of carrying the weight of the associated parts. The stirrup 100, swinging as it does, to operative position from a position over the toe of the shoe toward the middle of the latter instead of from a position over the heel end toward the middle of the shoe, renders the-jacking of even high topped shoes by it an easy matter.

From the description so far given it will be understood that the illustrative machine has six sole laying stations, that the operating mechanism at each station comprises 'a-pneurnatic pad supported upon a self-adjustable or compensating bed, andthat a shoe supporting arm can be swung downwardly over each pad to hold down against the pressure of the pad a last carrying a shoe for the sole pressing operation.

" roll 92 is inclined out of perpendicularity with the The pneumatic pads 32 are adapted to be inarm 68 so that the roll 92 will lie more or less ated a d d t at certain times y aperpendicularly of the median line of the forepart s n w o e described The air inlet p p 56 of the last which lies directly beneath the arm 68. for each D d passes from its connection with th This arrangement provides for aneffective disunion 58 at the unde S de Of s d p Y tribution of pressure on the forepart of the last to a valve casing 104 which is carried on the top in spite of the swing of the last. The twist of Ofthe upstanding neck 22 on the turret 12, and the pressure rolls on neighboring arms is reversed the pipe 56 has sufficient flexibility to allow of relative to those arms so that right and left shoes the tilting of the union 58 as the bed 34 tilts. may be dealt with at'alternate stations. Thisvalve casing 104 is of frusto-conical shape Mounted on coaxial horizontal pivots 98 at its (its Smaller end being at h p) and is adapted lower. end beneath, each pad supporting bed 34 t fit Over d Surround cl se y a frusto-conical is an, upstanding, stirrgiry 100 the cross portion pa 106 th p f the valve 24. The valve at the upper end'of w ch is adapted to extend casing 104 15 connected to the neck 22 of the turhorizontally across the upper edge of the shoe ret '12 by three horizontal lugs 108 (of which supporting ,arm 68 and perpendicularly of said only one is shown) through which pass upstandarm. The horizontal pivots 98 for each stiring pins 110 secured to the upper face of the rup are positioned to lie approximately'beneath upstanding neck 22, and springs ,112 confined bethe middle of the arm when the arm occupies a tween washers 114 at the tops of the pins .110 substantially horizontal position. The said horiand the lugs 108 serve to urgethe valve casing zontal' pivots 98 are carried in. bearings formed 104 downwardly to fit closely around the frustoconical part 106 of the valve 24. Each of the six inlet pipes 56 leading to the pneumatic pads 32 is connected by means of a screw union 116 with an inlet port 118 passing radially through -5 the valve casing and the six inlet ports 118 are arranged equidistantly around the latter, i. e., 'at sixty degrees apart and in the same horizontal plane. The-central shaft-like member forming the valve 24 is provided with a central vertical 1 duct 120 which is connected at its upper endby means of a flexible pipe 113 (preferably provided with a cock) to a source of compressed air (not shown). I

This central duct 120 is closed at its lower end, and near. to the upper end of the valve 24 and on a level with the inlet ports 118 in the valve casing 104is a single supply passage 122 (see Figs. 2 and 3) running radially of the valve 24 from the central duct 120 and'leading at its outer end into one end of a semi-circular groove 124 which runs horizontally around the valve 24 for approximately thirty degrees. The valve 24 has also formed in it a horizontalradial exhaust passage 126 the axis of which is arranged at 25 thirty degrees away from the axis of the supply passage viewed in plan (Fig. 3) and at some sixty degrees away from the further end of the groove 124 aforesaid and is also on the same'level as theinlet ports 1111 in the valvecasing 1 04. The exhaust passage 126 proceeds inwardly radially of the valve 24 for a short tance and communicates at its inner end wi a vertical exhaust pipe 128, (see Figsfl and 2) fitting in a groove 130 (Fig. 3) sunk into the peripheral C face of the valve'24 leading to the lower end thereof. The valve 24 isadapted to-be rotated at. certain times in the neck 22 of the turret 12 (and therefore in the valve casing.104) in one direction to cause the supply and exhaust passages to 49 come into alinement with the inlet ports 118 of those adjacent pads which occupy certain po sitions hereinafter stated.

At certain other times the valve 24 and turret 12 are caused to rotate together in the opposite direction as hereinafter described. For this pur- Dose there is secured to the valve 24near its lowerend between the top of the machine column 10 and the cross-bar 14 aforesaid an arm 132 which projects radially and horizontally from the valve 24. v This arm 132 carries, about half I way along its length, a vertical plunger 134 (see Figs. 1 and 4) which is housed in a bearing 136 in the arm 132 and which is urged upwardly in its bearingby means of a spring 138- housed within the plunger 134 and bearing at its lower end upon a fixed cross-pin 140 secured to the arm 132. The lower end of the plunger 134 projects below the arm 132 and is formed with a head 142 by which the plunger may be pulled downwardly,

as hereinafterexplained. The upper end of the plunger 134 projects above the arm 132 a substantial amount and a horizontal piston'rod 144 has at one end'a vertical bore ,in which theupper end of the plunger 134 is received and beyond which it. projects upwardly. The other end. of

the piston rod 144 is formed as a piston 146 which is received within a horizontal 'cylinder'148and,

'compressed air may be admitted to this cylinder behind the piston 146 at certain times, as hereinafter explained, to cause the piston'rod- 144 to reciprocate in one direction and thereby to rotate, in a clockwise direction-as-seen from above,

the arm 132 and the valve 24 and, through means hereinafter described, the turret 12.

A spring 150 is secured at one end to the arm 132 and at its other end to the machine frame and serves to rotate the arm 132 and valve 24 in the opposite direction when allowed to do so. The cylinder 148 is mounted, at-that end remote from the arm132 (i. e., its "closed end) on a vertical pivot 152 secured to a bracket 154 on the machine frame so that the cylinder 148 may oscillate slightly in a horizontal plane to allow the outer end of the piston rod 144 to follow the rotary movements of the arm 132. A flexible pipe line 156 is connected at one end to the cylinder 148 close tothe back of the cylinder and at the other end the pipe line is connected to a ring 158 which is secured to the lower end of the valve 24 so as to rotate with it and has a radial passage through it in communication with the central duct 120 in the valve 24. A slide valve. 160 carried by the said ring 158 and interposed between the ring and the pipe line 156 puts'the pipe line into communication at certain times with the central duct 120 aforesaid. Interposed between the lower end of the neck 22 of the turret l2 and the face 20 on the cross-bar .14 on which it rests, is a horizontalratchet wheel 162 which is secured to the turret l2- and which surrounds the central valve 24. 100 This ratchet wheel 162 is provided with six holes 164 spaced equally apart around its periphery and at a radial distance from the central valve 24 equal to that of. the plunger. 134. The upper end of the plunger is adapted at certain times to enter into one or other of the holes 164 in the ratchet wheel 162 and for that purpose its upper end is chamfered off to allow the plunger to enter easily into the holes.

A treadle l66'ls provided on the machine which isconnected by means of a rod 168 with an arm 1 170 mounted on a rotary pin 172 having a bearing J in the member 16 and having secured to its other end a lever 174 carrying atone end a roll 176 which engages the head 142 of the plunger 134 and is adapted'to be moved downwardly by the operation of the treadle .to withdraw the plunger 134 frorn the hole 164 in the ratchet wheel 162 at the beginning of the operation of the machine. A spring 1'78 (Fig.4) is connected between the end of the lever 174 and the frame to raise the front end of the lever and the treadle In the normal operation of the machine, before a fresh shoe is to be jackcd the central valve 24 will be so positioned in the neck of the turret-12 that the exhaust passage 128 therein will be in communication with the pad which lies directly in front of the operator when he stands in proper position facing the machine while the inlet passage 124 will be in communicationwith the pad. next on the left of that pad.

- Assuming that it is desired to removea shoefrom the machineafter treatment thereby and to substitute another therefor, the operator takes 'up a position facing the machine in front of the treadle aforesaid. The paxi immediately in front of the operator'in such position will already havebeendeflated and the operator may therefore tlfrow back the stirrup 100 from over the shoe supporting arm 68, thereby freeing the treated shoe which remains on the deflated pad when the arm has been lifted; After having removed this shoe and substituted another therefor on the pad, the operatoriswings the arm 68 downwardly to a more or less horizontal position, taking care that the short conical last pin 80 engages in the .pin hole of the last and that the pressure roll 92 engages the toe portionsquarely. Thereafter he swings the stirrup 100 forwardly over the top of 150 edge of the latter to retain it in depressed position and press the shoe upon the pad. Having finished this shoe jacking operation, the "operator depresses the treadle, thereby withdrawing the plunger 1 34 from the hole 164 in the ratchet wheel 162 (where it will be at this time) and allowing the arm 132v secured to the central valve 24 to swing quickly to the right(i. e., in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from above) under the action of its spring 150, thereby swinging the central valve 24 in the same" direction. During this movement the turret 12- is held from moving with the valve 24 by means of a retaining pawl 179 mounted'on the bracket 154 and engaging the teeth of the ratchet wheel 162. The

swinging movement of the valve 24 and the arm .therefore escape down the exhaust duct 128 and allow thepad to deflate.

While this swinging movement of the central valve 24 is taking place, the air supply passage (whichit will be remembered is at thirty degrees to the exhaust passage) will come into line with the inlet port for the pad which is directly in front of the operator and on which he has just jacked a shoe. The inflation of this pad will there-' upon commence when the valve has moved thirty degrees and will continue as the rotary movement of the valve continues due to theprovision of the horizontal groove 124. Thus at the end of the swinging movement just described (i. e., just after the treadle has been depressed) the shoe which has just been jacked will besubjected to pressure by the inflation of its pad while the pad to the right of that one willbe/ deflating. If desired, the horizontal groove 124 may be omitted and the inlet and exhaust passages may comprise only radial ports arranged at sixty degrees to each other.

r A short time after the central valve 24 has reached the end of said movement the operator releases the treadle. The action of releasing the treadle is arranged to cause the slide valve 160 (which partakes of the rotary movements .of the central valve) to move to such a position that compressed air may pass out of the central duct 120 in the central valve 24into the pipe 156 leading to the cylinder 148. For this purposethere is connected to the treadle 166 by a yieldingly extensible rod 180 a bell-crank lever 182 which, when the treadle is depressed, urges rearwardly a spring pressed'stop 184 located in the line of movement of the slide'valve 160. Release of the treadle when the central valve 24 has reached the end of its said swinging movement allows the said stop 184 to advance to engage and move the slide valve 160 toward the left from its initial position, causing admission of compressed air to the pipe line 156 and therefore to the cylinder 148 so that the piston 146 is forced along the cylinder, thereby turning the central valve 24 to the .left

' (i. e., in a clockwise direction when viewed from above) and by reason of the engagement of the plunger 134 with a hole 164 in the ratchet wheel 162, causingthe turret 12 to move with it. The

- of a supporting frame 198 for the waist pad 190 movement to the left of the turret 12 and valve 24 proceeds (against theaction of the spring 150 secured to the arnr 132) 'for sixty degrees until it is arrested by contact of the arm 132 with a leaf buifer spring 186, and the turret 12 and valve 24 remain together in this position until the treadle is depressed again for another operation. Simultaneously with the contact between the arm 132 and the leaf spring 186 a second stop 188 abutsagainst the slide valve 160 and moves it to cut off the communication between the pipe line 156 and the central duct 120 in the central valve 24 and to allow the compressedair in the cylinder 148 to pass away to exhaust. Each partial rotation of the turret 12' carries that pad whichhas last been inflated and on which a shoe has just been jacket away from in front of the operator to the left and simultaneously bringsinto position in front of him that pad which was next on his right and which has been deflated. Thus the operator does not have to turn the turret man ually and can more easily concentrate his attention on jacking and unjacking the shoes. Owing to the fact that adjacent pads are simultaneously in communication respectively with the inlet and exhaust passages in the central valve 24 during the rotary movement of the turret 12 and the valve 24 together and alsowhen the turret is stationary it will be understood that there is ample time for the inflating and deflating operation to be carried out effectively during the interval-between the jacking of successive shoes. The deflation of the one pad and the inflation of its neighbor, both being brought about by the aforesaid anticlockwise movement of the valve 24, are, as illustrated, allowed to continue as the valve and turret together move clockwise.

In order to ensure that a sole shall be laid tightly as possible against the waist of a higharch shoe, the illustrative machine may be pro- 1 5 vided with rubber waist pads 190 which are flat on their lower sides to rest upon the pneumatic pads 32 and are shaped on their upper faces to conform approximately to the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the shank of such a higharch shoe and each pad may be inserted between a pneumatic pad and the waist of a shoe before the commencement of a sole laying operation. One waist pad is provided for each pneumatic pad, and each is secured to the outer end of the corresponding pneumatic pad carrying bed. Each pad carrying bed 34 supports on a horizontal pivot 192 at its outer end a pair of shortlinks 194 which. in turn are pivoted at 196 to the sides and the latter may, by such an arrangement, be

matic pad 32 to lie upon the pneumatic pad in a position beneath the waist of a shoe or, if it is .not desired to use the Waist pad, it may be lifted away from the pneumatic pad and allowed to hang from the end of the bed in an inoperative position.

To ensure that the plunger 134 may have ample time to engage properly in a hole in the ratchet wheel 162 before the piston 146 is caused to travel along its cylinder to turn the turret 12; means may be provided for slowing down the initial movement of the piston along its cylinder. For this purpose the passage in the cylinder casing 148 leading from the pipe line 156 to the interior of the cylinder .may be divided into two branches 200, 202 of different diameters of which the smaller 200' leads into the cylinder close swung upwardly and over the end of the pneuagainst the end wall thereof and the larger 202 leads into the cylinder, say one quarter of its length away from the end wall. By such an arrangement the piston 146'will first of all be given a relatively slow motion which will increase to a the cylinder and uncovers the larger port.

' Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: A

1. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of sole pressing pads mounted upon the carrier, means for holding shoes on the pads, and a single means independent of movement of the" carrier for applying pressure to the sole of a shoe on one of the pads and for relieving'pressure on the sole of a shoe on another of the pads simultaneously.

2. A. sole pressing machine having, in combination, a rotatable turret, a plurality of pneu-' matic,sole pressing pads mounted upon the turret,

means for holding shoes on the pads, a movable valve, and means for moving the valve, while the pads, a rotary valve, and operator-controlled means for moving the valve, while the turret is at rest, to admit fluid to one .of the pads and to exhaust fluid from another oi the pads simultaneously.

4; In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of pressing units mounted" upon the carrier to be presented by movement *of the carrier successively in work receiving position, and pressure controlling means operating while each unit is in said position for applying pressure to that unit and for relieving pressure from the unit next to be brought into work receiving position by movement ofthe carrier.

5. In a sole pressing machine, the'combination of a carrier, a plurality of sole pressing units on the carrier, each comprisinga shoe holding device and a sole engaging pad adapted to be dilated by fluid pressure to apply pressure to ashoe bottom, and means operating without movement of the carrier from its work-receiving position for applying fluid pressure to dilate one of the pads while the carrier is at rest and for relieving the pressure from another adjacent pad to which pressure has previously been applied.

6.In a sole pressing machine, a rotary turret,

- to cause pressure to be applied to a shoe in one pres sing device and pressure to be relieved from a shoe in another pressing device;

- '7, In a sole pressing machine, the combination of aturret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried 'by the turret; a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, and means for supplying air to each of said pads in turn comprising a rotaryvalve located cen-- Y trally of the turret and operating when turned relatively to the turret to admit air to one of the Dads.

, 8. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried relatively fast motion as the piston travels down cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for supplying air to each of said pads in turn comprising a valve located centrally of the turret and operating when turned relatively to/ and means for supplying air to each of said pads. in turn comprising a valve located centrally of theturret and operating'when turned relatively to the turret to admit air to one of the pads and to exhaust air from an adjacent pad.

10. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for conducting air to each of said pads in turn comprising a valve located centrally of the turret and operating when rotated relatively to the turret to admit air to one of the pads and exhaust air from an adjacent pad, a spring for rotating the valve relatively to the turret, means operated by the turret for resetting the valve, and. an operator controlled latch for holding the springunder tension and releasing it.

11. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads 'carried bythe turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for supplying air to each of said pads in turn comprising a valve located centrally of the turret and operating when turned relatively to theturret to admit air to one of the pads spring means under initial tension for operating the valve, operator controlled means for releasing the spring means, and means operated by rotation of the turret for restoring the initial tension of the spring means.

12. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of sole pressing pads mounted on the turret, means for holding shoes on the pads, means for rotating the turret, and

means including a rotary valve operable relatively i to the turret while. the turret is at rest for causing pressure to be applied to the sole of a shoe on one of the pads and pressure to be relieved from the sole of a shoe on another of the pads simultaneously.

13. In a sole pressing machine, the combination oi a turret, a' plurality of sole pressing pads mounted on the turret, means for holding shoes on the pads, means for rotating the turret, and

pressure controllingmeans operable while the turret is at rest for causing pressure to be applied to the sole of a shoe on one of the pads and pressure to be relieved from the sole of a shoe on another of the pads, rotation of the turret acting to restore said pressure controlling means to its initial position.

14. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a" turret, a plurality of pressing units mounted .on the turret to be presented by rotation of the turret successively in shoe receiving position, a spring, and pressure controlling means operated by said spring while each unit is in shoe receiving position to cause pressure to be applied to that unit and to relieve pressure from the uni next to be brought into shoe receiving position movement of the turret.

by the turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices 15. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pressing units mounted on the turret to .be presented by rotation of the turret'successively in shoe receiving position, a spring, pressure controlling means 5 operated by said spring while each unit is in shoe receiving position to cause pressure to be applied to that unit and forrelieving pressure from the unit next to be brought into shoe receiving position by movement of theturret, and means operated by'rotation of the turret for retensioning the spring. 1 16. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of sole pressing units on the turret each comprising a shoe holding device and a sole engaging pad adapted to be dilated by-fiuid pressure to apply pressure to a shoe bottom, operator controlled means for causing dilation of one of the pads prior to movement of the turret, means acting during rotation of the turret for relieving the pressure from an adjacent pad'which has previously been dilated, and

means for rotating the turret.

17. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of .a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, a ,valve located centrally of the turret for. rotation about the same axis as the turret,

" means'for rotating the valve and turret in one direction, and means for rotating ,the valve reverse ly to the directionof rotation of the turret to cause the valveto admit air to one oi the pads and permit exhaustion of air frc. .1 an adjacent pad.

'18. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, a valve located centrally of the turret for rotation about the same axis as the turret, means for rotating theturret, a spring for operating the valve arranged to be placed under tension by rotation of the turret, means for releasing thespring to cause rotation of the valve, and means operated by rotation of the turret, for re- 5 storing the valve to initial position and for retensioning the spring.

19. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by the turret, means for holding a shoe upon;

' each of the pads, power-operated means for rotating the turret, a rotary valve having its axis coincident with that of the turret, means for turning the valve in the same direction as the turret when the turret is rotated and for storing 5 energy reversely to move the valve, and operator controlled means for releasing said energy. to cause the valve to be reversely moved While the turret is at rest to cause admission of air to one of the pads and exhaustion of air from an adjacent pad.- 4

20. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by the turret, means for holding a shoe" the adjacent pad, and means for thereafter moving the turret.

21. In a sole pressing machine, the combina tion of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic sole pressing'devices on the turret, means for transtating the turret, and a single controlling memtion of a turret, a series of pneumatic pads on the mitting compressed air for operating said pressing devices, means for admitting air to one of said pressing devices and exhausting air from another, of said pressing devices, means for ro- 8C) her which, upon one movement, causes one pressing device to be inflated and another deflated and uponanother movement causes the turret to be rotated.

22. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic sole pressing devices on the turret, means for transmitting compressed air for operating said pressing devices, means for admitting air to one of said pressing devices and exhausting air from another of said pressing devices, means for rotating the turret, and a treadle which, upon detion of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic sole pressing pads mounted upon the turret, shoe holding means for holding shoes upon the pads, a rotary air valve having its axis of rotation coincident with that of the turret, a spring for rotating the air valve in one direction, power-operated means for moving the valve in the opposite dimotion and for simultaneously rotating the turret, and operator'controlled means for releasing the valve to theaction of the spring to rotate the valve reversely to the direction of rotation of the turret, saidvalve then acting to admit air to one of the pads and to exhaust air from another of the pads.

24.. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of pneumatic pads carried by theturret, means for holding a shoe upon eachof the pads, a rotary valve having its axis coincident with that of the turret, and means for turning the valve while the turret is at rest to cause admission of air to one of the pads and exhaustion of air from an adjacent pad, said valve acting to admit air to one of the pads and later to exhaust air from an adjacent pad while continuing to supply air to the pad being filled.

25. -In a sole pressing machine, a rotary turret, a plurality of shoe holding and sole pressing devices mounted on the turret, a rotatable member about which the turret rotates, means for rotating the turret in one direction to bring the pressing devices successively into work receiving position, and means for rotating said member in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the turret to cause pressure to be applied to a shoe .in one of said pressing devices and pressure to be relieved from a shoe in another of said devices.

26. In a sole pressing machine, the combinaturret, a source of supply of compressed air, a rotary valve for controlling the admission of air to the pads and the'exhaust of air therefrom, means for rotating the turret and valve together while air is being'supplied to one pad and exhausted from another and to store energy reversely to move the valve, and operator controlled means for releasing the valve -to permit it to rotate reversely to'supply air to a previously exhausted pad andto exhaust a previously filled pad .27. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a series of pneumatic pads on the turret, a source of supply of compressed air, a rotary valve for controlling the admission of air to the pads and the exhaust of air therefrom, and means for rotating the turret and valve together while air is being supplied to one pad and exhausted from another.

28. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, aplurality of'pneumatic sole pressing pads mounted upon the turret, shoe holding means for holding shoes upon the pads, a rotary air valve having its axis of rotationtoincident with that of the turret, a spring for rotating the air valve in one direction, power-operated means for moving the valve in the oppositedirectionand for simultaneously rotating the turret, and a treadle, depression of which releases the valve to the action of the spring to rotaterthe valve reversely to the direction of'rotation of the turret, said valve acting to admit air-to one of the pads and to exhaust air from another of the pads,

29.7. In a sole pressing machine, thecombination of a turret, a series of pneumatic pads on the turret, asource of supply of compressed air, a rotary valve for controlling the admission of air to the pads and the exhaust of air therefrom, means for rotating the turret and valve together while air is being supplied to one pad and exhausted from another and to store energy reversely to move the pad, treadle operated means for releasing the valve to permit it to rotate reversely, to supply air to ;a previously exhausted pad and to exhaust a previously filled padf'and treadle controlled means fdr causing the turret and valve to be rotated together. 30. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, aplurality of sole pressing units] on the turret each comprising a shoe holding de-' vice and a sole engaging pad adaptedto be dilated by fluid pressure; to apply pressure to a shoe bottom, an oscillating arm, a plunger on the arm normally engaging the turret, operator controlled means for releasing the plunger from the turret, a spring for operating the arm when so released, and fluid pressure operated means for moving the arm against the spring and rotating the turret.

31 In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turretfia plurality of sole pressing units on the turret each comprising a shoe holding de- N106 and a sole engaging pad adapted to be dilated by fluid pressure to apply pressure to a shoe bottom, an oscillating 'arm, a plunger on the arm normally engaging the turret, operator controlled means for releasing the plunger from the turret,

a springfor operating the arm when so released, fluid pressure operated means for moving the arm against the spring and rotating the turret,

,and means for causing the initial movement of the arm to be slow and its subsequent movement rapid. 1 i 32. In, a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a' plurality of sole pressing units on the turreteach comprising a shoe holding device and a sole engaging pad adapted to be dilated by fluid pressure to apply pressure to a shoe bottom, an, oscillating arm, a plunger on the arm normally engaging the turret, l manually operated. means acting when moved in one direction to release the plunger from the turret, a spring for operating the arm when so released, fluid pressure operated means for moving the arm againstthe spring and rotating the turret, and means operated by returnv movement of the manually operated means to cause operation of the fluid pressure operated means.

33. In asole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe support having a pad thereon adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the shoe bottom, a pivoted arm adapted to be swung toward a shoe on the"pad to press the shoe against the pad and having a cam surface on'its upper side, and a stirrup extending over the arm and pivoted to the padsubstantially at the longitudinal center thereof, said stirrup being adapted to be swung along the arm away from the pivot of the armto force the arm in pressing position against the shoe.

34. In a sole pressing machine, the combina tion of a shoe supporting'bed having a pad thereon adapted to conformsubstantially to the shape of a shoe bottom, a member arranged for movement toward a shoe onthe bed to press the shoe against the bed, said member having a cam surface on its outer face, and a stirrup extending over the member and pivoted to the bed substantially at the longitudinal center thereof, said stirrup being adapted to swing along the member and by engagement withsaid cam surface to force the member into pressing position against the shoe. I

35. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe supporting bed having a'pad thereon adapted to conform substantially to the shape of a shoe bottom, an arm adapted to be swung toward-the shoeon the bed to press itagainst the pad, and a stirrup extending at all times over the arm and pivoted to the bed substantially at the longitudinal center thereof, said stirrup being adapted to swing rearwardly, of the shoe along the arm to retain the arm in pressing position against the shoe. 3p. In a sole pressing machine, the combina: tion of a shoe supporting bed adapted to conform substantially to the shape of a shoe bottom, an armpivoted adjacent to the toe end of the bed and .adapted to swing toward a shoe to press it against the bed, and a stirrup extending over said arm and pivoted to the bed beneath the shank portion of the shoe, said arm having a stirrup engaging surface eccentric to the path of the stirrup to cause the arm to be clamped against the shoe by swinging movement ofthe stirrup.

37. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe supporting bed adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the shoe bottom, an arm pivoted adjacent to the toe end of the bed and adapted to be'swung toward a shoe to press 'it against the bed, a spring for swinging the arm away from the shoe, and a stirrup extending over said arm and pivoted to the bed, said arm having a stirrup engaging surface eccentric to the path of the stirrup to cause the armrto be clamped against a shoe by swinging movement of the stirrup along the eccentric surface of said arm. 4 38. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe supporting bed adapted to conform substantially to the shape of the-shoe bottom, an arm adapted to swing toward a shoe to press it against the bed, and a stirrup extending over said armand pivoted to the bed midway of the length ofthe bed, said arm having a stirrup engaging surface eccentric vto the path of the stirrup to cause the arm to be clamped against the shoe by 140 swinging movement of t1 le stirrup toward the rear end of the shoe. 2"

39. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe supportingbed, means for supporting the bed at two points transversely thereof near the middle of the length of the bed, and a third support for said bed located near one end of the bed, said support being yielding to permit tipping of the bed on the two-point support.

40. In a sole pressing machine, the-combina- 150 tion of a shoe supporting bed, means for support ing the bed at two points transversely thereof near the middle of the length of the bed, and a third support for said bed located near one end of the bed, said support comprising opposed springs 'arnear, the middle of the length of the bed, means for adjusting said stems relatively to each other, and a third support for said bed located near one end of the bed.

42. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a shoe supporting bed, a dilatable pad upon the bed, means for holding a shoe on the pad, a separate shank pad having its shoe engagingsurface shaped complementally to that of the shank portion of the shoe and adapted directly to engage the shank portion only of the Shoe, and means -for holding the shank pad upon the dilatable pad. Y r i 43. In a sole pressing machine, tion of ashoe supporting bed, a dilatablepad upon the bed, means for holding a shoe on the pad, a separate'shankpad having its shoe engaging surface shaped complementally to that of the shank portion of the shoe, and links connecting said pad to the bed to locate it properly on the bed and permitting it to be moved out of perative position without disconnecting it from the bed when its use is not desired. 5

44. A sole pressing machine-having, in combination, a turret, a plurality of fluid-operated pads on the turret, meansfor rotating the turret to bring the pads successively into a single operating position, operator-controlled means for causing fluid to enter the pad that is in operating position prior to'movement of the turret,

andmeans for continuing the supply of fluid to that pad during movement of the turret to bring another pad into operating position.

45. A sole pressing machine having, in combiturret to brin'g'that pad into operating position,

and means for continuing the exhaust of that pad during its movement into operating po'sition; ,n I

-' 46. A sole pressing machine having, in combination; a turret, a plurality of fluid-operated pads on thelturret, means-for rotating the turret to bring the pads successively intoa single operating position, a valve movable in one direcvalve in the opposite direction during rotation of the turret to maintain said fluid admission and exhaust'with relation to the pads during rotation of'the turret.

47. In a sole/pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality OLfluid-Qperated' I pressing devices on the turret, means for trans- -tion of a turret mounted for rotation about a 145'- mitting, fluid under pressure Iorpperating said pressing devices, means for admitting'fluidto one, of said pressing devices, means for rotating the turret, and a single controlling memberwhich, upon one movement, causes fluid under ward each other to apply. pressure to ashoe, 150

the -coinbinapressure to be admitted to one or the pressing devices and upon another movement causes the turret to be rotated. r

48. A'sole pressing machine having, in combination, a turret, a plurality of fluid-operated pads on the turret, means for rotating the turret to bringthei pads successively into asingle operating position, means for exhausting fluid from the pad that is next to the operating position prior to movement of the turret to bring that pad into operating position, and means for maintaining the exhaust or that pad open during its movement into operating position. j

49. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of fluid-operated I pressing devices on .the turret, means for: trans mitting fluid under pressure for operating said pressing devices, means for admitting fluid to one of said pressing devices, means for rotating the turret, and a controlling member movement of which causesfluid under pressure to flow to one of the pressing devices andlater causes the turret to. be rotated.

50. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret mounted for rotation about a verticalaxis, a plurality of pressing units mount-.

termined work-receiving position and for inflating the pad while it is in said position.

tion of a movable carrier, a plurality of pressing units mounted upon the carrier to be presented by movement of the carriersuccessively in a predetermined work-receiving position, each of said units including an inflatable pad, means for causing inflation oi s/pad while insaid predetermined work-receiving position,-and means opdeflation of another pad.

vertical axis, a plurality of pressing units mounted upon the turret to bepresented by rotation 51. In a sole pressing machine, the combina llil erated automatically by saidmeans for causing 52. In a sole pressing machine, the-combina- I tion of a turret mounted for rotation about a of the turret successively in a predetermined work-receivingposiftion, each of said units in-- cluding an inflatable pad, means for causing inflation of a. pad while it is in said predetermined work-receiving position and for causing deflattion of another'pad, andmeans for rotating the 53. In a. 'sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of pads mounted. on the turret, a plurality of shoe-engaging devices one for each of the pads, means operating independently of rotation of the turret for relatively opcrating each pad andits shoe-engaging device in turn to apply pressure to a shoe, and means operating without special attention on the part of the operator for relieving said pressure when the turret has nearly completed-a rotation.

54. In a sole pressing machine, the combinavertical axis, a plurality of pads mounted on the turret, a plurality of shoe-engaging devices one for each of the pads, fluid-operated means for pressing each ,pad and shoe-engaging device tomanually controlled means for causing fluid to be admitted to the fluid-operated means of one pad while the turret is at rest, and means operated by said manually operated means for caus ing pressure tosbe relieved from a shoe on another pad.

55. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of pressing units on the carrier to be presented by movement of the carrier successively in work-receiving position, means for ingrmittently moving the carrier, and pressure-controlling means operable while each unit is in work-receiving position for causing pressure to be applied to that unit which is in work-receiving position and for causing pressure to be relieved from the unit next to be brought.

into work-receiving position by movement of the carrier. i

56. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a carrier, means for intermittently moving the carrier step by step, a plurality of pads on the carrier, a plurality of holding means for pressing shoes on the pads, operator-controlled means independent of movement of the carrier for causing relative movement of one shoe-holding device and its pad thereby applying pressure to a shoeon that'pad, means for moving the carrier one step while said pressure is being applied, and means for simultaneously relieving pressure on another shoe.

5'7. In a sole pressing machine, the combina-" tion of a turret arranged for rotation on a vertical axis, means for intermittently rotating the turret step by step, a plurality of pads on the turret, means for pressing shoes down upon the -.respective pads, and operatorcontrolled means for causing pressure to be applied to a shoe on a pad at one operating station of the turret and on that pad, said means acting simultaneously to relieve pressure on the shoe on the pad next to be brought to the operating station by movement of the carrier.

59. In asole pressing machine, the combination of a carrier, a plurality of pressing units on the carrier to be presented by movementof the carrier successively in work-receiving position, means for intermittently moving the carrier, pressure-controlling means operablewhile each unit is in work-receiving position for causing pressure to be applied to that unit which is in work-receiving position and for causing pressure to be relieved from the unit next to be brought into workreceiving position by movement of the carrier, and means for reversly moving said pressurecontrolling means during movement of the carrier to continue the application of pressure to the unit leaving. the work-recewing position.

. 60. In a sole pressing machine, the comb' m'ation of a turret mounted for rotation about a vertical axis, a plurality of inflatable pads on the turret, a plurality of shoe-engaging devices one for each of the pads, a fluid-pressure-controlling valvemovable while the turret is at rest for causin: inflation of one of the pads and for relieving carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe-holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for supplying air to each of said pads in turn comprising, avalve operating when turned relatively to the turret to admit air to one of the pads, spring-controlled means under initial tension for turning the valve to admit air to the pad, and operator-controlled means for releasing the spring means.

7 62. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of inflatable pads carried by the :turret, a plurality of shoe-holding device'scooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, and means for supplying fluid to each of said pads.in turn comprising a valve operable independently of movement of the turret for causing admission of fluid to one of the pads and exit of fluid from an adjacent pad.

63. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of inflatable pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe-holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for supplying fluid to each of said pads in turn comprising valve means operable while the turrret is at rest for causing admission of fluid to one of the pads and to cause another of the pads to beexhausted.

64. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of inflatable pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon, means for conducting fluid to each of said pads in turn comprising a valve operating to admit fluid to one of the pads and to exhaust fluid from an adjacent pad, a spring for rotating the valve relatively to the turret, means operated by the turret for resetting the valve, and an operator-controlled latch for holding the spring under tension and releasing it.

65.- In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of inflatable pads carried by the turret, a plurality of shoe-holding devices cooperating with the pads to hold shoes thereon; means for supplying fluid to each of said pads in turn comprising a valve operating to admit fluid to 'one of the pads, spring means under initial tension for operating the valve, operator- .controlled means for releasing the spring means,

and means operated by rotation of the turret for restoring the initial tension of the spring means.

66. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of sole pressing means on the turret, each comprising a shoe-holding device and a sole-engaging pad, means for relatively operating each shoe-holding device and sole-engaging pad to apply pressure to the shoe bottom, operator-controlled means for causing pressure to be applied to a shoe on one of the pads prior to movement of the turret, means acting during the rotation of the tuiret for relieving pressure on a shoe on an adjacent pad, and means for rotating the turret.

67. In a. sole pressing machine, the combination of a'turret, a plurality of inflatable pads carried by the turret, means for holding a shoe on each of said pads, power-operated means for rotating the turret, a rotary valve for controlling the passage of fluid into and out of the pads,

means for turning the valve in one direction when the turret is rotated and for storing energy to efiect reverse movement of the valve, and opcrater-controlled means for releasing the energy to cause the valve to be reversely moved while the turret is at rest to admit air to one of the pads and to exhaust air froman adjacent pad.

68. In a sole pressing machine, the combination of a turret, a plurality of fluid-operated sole pressing devices on the turret, means for transmitting fluid under pressure for operating said pressing devices, means for admitting fluid to,

one of said pressing devices, means for exhausting fluid from another of said pressing devices, means turret, and a treadle which upon depression causes admission of air to one of the pads and exhaustiqn of air from an adjacent pad, said valve acting to admit air to one of the pads and later to exhaust air from an adjacent pad while continuing to supply air to the pad being filled, and means for continuing the supply of air to the pad being filled and the exhaustion of air from the adjacent pad during the rotation of the turret.

71. In a sole pressing machine, a rotary turret, a plurality of shoe pressing devices mounted on the turret, means for rotating the turret in one direction to bring the pressing devices successively into work-receiving position, a pressure-controlling member, and means for operating said member to cause pressure to be applied to a shoe in one of said'pressing devices and pressure to be relieved from another of said devices.

GEORGE HAZELTON. 

